The Bible speaks in various ways about the sanctity of life, including the lives of children and infants. Though there are instances where violence occurs, Scripture upholds God’s view of justice and mercy. Here are key Verses that touch on the subject of killing babies, revealing God’s judgment and the sorrow that accompanies such acts.
Also Read: Bible Verses For Baby Dedication
God’s Command Against Murder
Throughout Scripture, the Bible makes it clear that God values life. The command against murder includes all human life, including babies. Here are some key verses that speak to this principle:
Exodus 20:13
“You must not murder.”
Deuteronomy 5:17
“You must not murder.”
Proverbs 6:16-17
“There are six things the Lord hates—no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent.”
Genesis 9:6
“If anyone takes a human life, that person’s life will also be taken by human hands. For God made human beings in his own image.”
Exodus 23:7
“Be sure never to charge anyone falsely with evil. Never sentence an innocent or blameless person to death, for I never declare a guilty person to be innocent.”
The Sorrow of Infanticide in Israel’s History
In several tragic moments in Israel’s history, infants were caught in the crossfire of violence and judgment. These verses highlight how the killing of babies was a sign of the deep brokenness and sin of the people.
2 Kings 8:12
“Why are you weeping?” Hazael asked. The man of God replied, “I know the terrible things you will do to the people of Israel. You will burn their fortified cities, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little children to the ground, and rip open their pregnant women!”
Hosea 13:16
“The people of Samaria must bear the consequences of their guilt because they rebelled against their God. They will be killed by an invading army; their little ones will be dashed to death against the ground, their pregnant women ripped open by swords.”
Psalm 137:9
“Happy is the one who takes your babies and smashes them against the rocks!”
Isaiah 13:16
“Their babies will be dashed to death before their eyes. Their homes will be sacked, and their wives will be raped.”
Amos 1:13
“This is what the Lord says: ‘The people of Ammon have sinned again and again, and I will not let them go unpunished! When they attacked Gilead to extend their borders, they ripped open pregnant women with their swords.'”
Pharaoh’s Decree and God’s Deliverance
The story of Moses begins with Pharaoh’s cruel command to kill the male children of Israel. This act of violence led to God’s miraculous intervention and the salvation of His people.
Exodus 1:16
“When you help the Hebrew women as they give birth, watch as they deliver. If the baby is a boy, kill him; if it is a girl, let her live.”
Exodus 1:22
“Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: ‘Throw every newborn Hebrew boy into the Nile River. But you may let the girls live.'”
Exodus 2:2-3
“The woman became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She saw that he was a special baby and kept him hidden for three months. But when she could no longer hide him, she got a basket made of papyrus reeds and waterproofed it with tar and pitch. She put the baby in the basket and laid it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile River.”
Exodus 2:10
“Later, when the boy was older, his mother brought him back to Pharaoh’s daughter, who adopted him as her own son. The princess named him Moses, for she explained, ‘I lifted him out of the water.'”
Hebrews 11:23
“It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months when he was born. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s command.”
Herod’s Massacre of the Innocents
The killing of the male infants in Bethlehem was another moment in biblical history where the lives of innocent children were tragically taken. This event foreshadowed the suffering that Jesus would later endure.
Matthew 2:16
“Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance.”
Matthew 2:17-18
“Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: ‘A cry was heard in Ramah—weeping and great mourning. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted, for they are dead.'”
Jeremiah 31:15
“This is what the Lord says: ‘A cry is heard in Ramah—deep anguish and bitter weeping. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted—for her children are gone.'”
Revelation 12:4
“His tail swept away one-third of the stars in the sky, and he threw them to the earth. He stood in front of the woman as she was about to give birth, ready to devour her baby as soon as it was born.”
Psalm 106:37-38
“They even sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons. They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, by sacrificing them to the idols of Canaan. They polluted the land with murder.”
Children as a Blessing from God
While there are tragic instances in the Bible where babies were killed, Scripture also emphasizes the blessing of children and the care that God desires for them. These verses affirm the value and dignity of every child.
Psalm 127:3
“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.”
Proverbs 17:6
“Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children.”
Matthew 19:14
“But Jesus said, ‘Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.'”
Mark 9:37
“Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.”
Luke 18:16
“Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, ‘Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.'”
God’s Judgment on Child Sacrifice
Child sacrifice was a detestable practice among the nations surrounding Israel, and God’s Word strongly condemns it. Here are some verses that speak directly against this practice and show God’s righteous judgment.
Leviticus 18:21
“Do not permit any of your children to be offered as a sacrifice to Molech, for you must not bring shame on the name of your God. I am the Lord.”
Leviticus 20:2
“Give the people of Israel these instructions, which apply both to native Israelites and to the foreigners living in Israel: If any of them offer their children as a sacrifice to Molech, they must be put to death. The people of the community must stone them to death.”
Jeremiah 7:31
“They have built pagan shrines at Topheth, the garbage dump in the valley of Ben-Hinnom, and there they burn their sons and daughters in the fire. I have never commanded such a horrible deed; it never even crossed my mind to command such a thing!”
Deuteronomy 12:31
“You must not worship the Lord your God the way the other nations worship their gods, for they perform for their gods every detestable act that the Lord hates. They even burn their sons and daughters as sacrifices to their gods.”
2 Kings 23:10
“He also desecrated the pagan shrines at Topheth in the valley of Ben-Hinnom, so no one could ever again use it to sacrifice a son or daughter in the fire as an offering to Molech.”
God’s Justice for the Innocent
In God’s eyes, the innocent are precious. The Bible calls for justice for those who are weak and defenseless, including infants. God’s care for the helpless is clear, and His justice is sure for those who harm them.
Deuteronomy 27:25
“Cursed is anyone who accepts payment to kill an innocent person. And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’”
Proverbs 31:8-9
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.”
Isaiah 1:17
“Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.”
Psalm 82:3-4
“Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people.”
Exodus 22:22-24
“You must not exploit a widow or an orphan. If you exploit them in any way and they cry out to me, then I will certainly hear their cry. My anger will blaze against you, and I will kill you with the sword. Then your wives will be widows and your children fatherless.”
Hope in God’s Restoration
Though the Bible records tragic accounts of violence, it also offers hope. God’s ultimate plan is to restore and heal. These verses reflect the hope that is found in God’s redemption and the restoration of life through His grace and mercy.
Isaiah 65:20
“No longer will babies die when only a few days old. No longer will adults die before they have lived a full life. No longer will people be considered old at one hundred! Only the cursed will die that young!”
Revelation 21:4
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
Jeremiah 31:16
“But now this is what the Lord says: ‘Do not weep any longer, for I will reward you,’ says the Lord. ‘Your children will come back to you from the distant land of the enemy.'”
Hosea 13:14
“Should I ransom them from the grave? Should I redeem them from death? O death, bring on your terrors! O grave, bring on your plagues! For I will not take pity on them.”
Romans 8:18
“Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Wickedness
What Does the Bible Say About Killing Babies
The Bible makes it very clear that all life is precious, including the life of babies. God values every human being, starting from the moment of conception. In Psalm 139:13-16, it talks about how God forms each of us in the womb, showing that He has a plan for every life, even before we are born. He knits us together with care and purpose. This means that unborn babies are seen as valuable human beings to God.
The act of taking a baby’s life, whether born or unborn, is considered wrong according to the teachings of the Bible. In Exodus 20:13, one of the Ten Commandments says, “You must not murder.” This commandment is clear: taking innocent life is a sin, and that applies to all, including babies. Throughout the Bible, God expresses His love for children. Jesus, during His time on Earth, even welcomed children and blessed them, saying that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these (Matthew 19:14).
In the Old Testament, there were times when cultures around Israel were involved in practices that included child sacrifice. God was strongly against this, and He condemned such practices, calling them detestable (Leviticus 18:21). He wanted His people to be different, to respect life, and to understand that every child is a blessing. The Bible paints a picture of God as a protector and defender of the vulnerable, and babies, being the most vulnerable, are under His care.
In a world where there is much debate on these issues, the Bible’s stance is clear: every human life is valuable from the moment of conception. Christians are called to defend life, protect the innocent, and show love and care to all, especially the defenseless. Killing babies, whether by abortion or any other means, goes against the love, compassion, and respect for life that God calls His followers to have. Instead, Christians are encouraged to support and care for those in difficult situations, offering help and hope rather than choosing the path of ending a life.